Methods and systems for reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles

ABSTRACT

Method and associated system for reading machine-readable labels on a plurality of sample receptacles held by a sample rack. In the method, a machine-readable label associated each of the plurality of sample receptacles is read with a first label reader when the rack is at a first location. The sample rack is then moved from the first location to a second location, where a rack identifier on the sample rack is sensed with a sensor separate from the first label reader. Finally, the rack identifier is associated with the machine-readable labels of the plurality of sample receptacles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/905,816, filed Jun. 18, 2020, now U.S. Pat. No. 11,275,914, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/208,186, filed Dec. 3,2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,719,677, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/092,150, filed Apr. 6, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No.10,146,973, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/143,963, filed Apr. 7, 2015, the contents of each of whichapplications is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD

Embodiments of this disclosure are directed to systems and methods forreading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles, for example,sample receptacles used to perform assays.

BACKGROUND

An analyzer system can perform assays on fluid sample material. Forexample, in the clinical laboratory context, the analyzer system can beconfigured to perform multi-step analytical processes (for example, anucleic acid test (NAT) designed to detect microbe, such as a virus or abacterium) that involve adding substances (e.g., fluids), such assamples, solid supports, buffers, oil, primers, polymerases,nucleotides, labels, probes, or other reaction fluids, to and/orremoving substances from receptacles, agitating receptacles to mix thecontents thereof, maintaining and/or altering the temperature of thecontents of the receptacles, heating or chilling the contents of thereceptacles, altering the concentration of one or more contentcomponents of the receptacles, separating or isolating constituentcomponents of the contents of the receptacles, detecting anelectromagnetic signal emission (for example, light) from the contentsof the receptacles, deactivating or halting an on-going reaction, or anycombination of two or more of such processes.

The analyzer system can be automated to perform the desired analyticalprocess. Accordingly, the analyzer system can automatically identify thecontents of a sample receptacle and the assay to perform. For example,the analyzer system can read labels, for example, a barcode, on thesample receptacle to identify the contents of the sample receptacle andthe assay to perform.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a method of reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes moving, between a first position and asecond position in a housing, a sample rack configured to hold aplurality of sample receptacles. Each sample receptacle has amachine-readable label. The method also includes measuring an absoluteposition of the sample rack as the sample rack moves between the firstposition and the second position, and acquiring an image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position. Further, the method includes decoding the acquiredimage of the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of theplurality of sample receptacles. In some embodiments, the method alsoincludes associating a decoded acquired image of the machine-readablelabel of each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacleswith the corresponding sample receptacle based on a measured absoluteposition of the sample rack when the image of the machine-readable labelwas acquired. The machine-readable label can be a barcode. In someembodiments, the barcode can be a one- or two-dimensional barcode. Insome embodiments, the barcode contains information that associates asample within the sample receptacle to a patient. Moving the sample rackcan include manually moving the sample rack or automatically moving thesample rack. In some embodiments, the sample rack is moved at a highrate of speed. In some embodiments, the second position in the housingis a fully inserted position, and decoding the acquired image occursafter the sample rack is moved to the second position. In someembodiments, measuring the absolute position of the sample rack uses areader, and acquiring an image of the machine-readable label uses thereader. In some embodiments, measuring the absolute position of thesample rack uses a reader, and acquiring an image of themachine-readable label uses a second reader separate from the firstreader. In some embodiments, acquiring the image of the machine-readablelabel comprises using a reader.

In some embodiments, a method of reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes moving, between a first position and asecond position in a housing, a sample rack configured to hold aplurality of sample receptacles. Each sample receptacle has amachine-readable label. The method also includes activating a labelreader when the sample rack is at each of a plurality of predeterminedpositions between the first position and the second position to read themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position. In some embodiments, the method also includesactivating a light source when the sample rack is at each of theplurality of predetermined positions. In some embodiments, moving thesample rack comprises manually moving the sample rack. In someembodiments, moving the sample rack comprises automatically moving thesample rack. In some embodiments, method also includes measuring aposition of the sample rack as the sample rack moves between the firstposition and the second position. Measuring the position of the samplerack can include using a sensor operably coupled to an indicator on thesample rack. The indicator can include at least one of the groupconsisting of: a recess, a protrusion, an optically reflective element,a magnetic element, and a capacitive element. The machine-readable labelcan be a one- or two-dimensional barcode. The machine-readable label canbe a two-dimensional barcode that contains information that associates asample within the sample receptacle to a patient.

In some embodiments, a method of reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes moving, between a first position and asecond position in a housing, a sample rack configured to hold aplurality of sample receptacles. Each sample receptacle has amachine-readable label. The method also includes measuring positions ofthe sample rack as the sample rack moves between the first position andthe second position. Further, the method includes reading themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position. And the method includes decoding a readmachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles. The method also includes associating a decodedmachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles with the corresponding receptacle based on a measuredposition of the sample rack when the machine-readable label was read. Insome embodiments, moving the sample rack includes manually moving thesample rack. In other embodiments, moving the sample rack includesautomatically moving the sample rack. In some embodiments, themachine-readable label contains information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient. In some embodiments, thesecond position in the housing is a fully inserted position, anddecoding the machine-readable label occurs after the sample rack ismoved to the second position. In some embodiments, the machine-readablelabel is a barcode. In some embodiments, the barcode is a one- ortwo-dimensional barcode.

In some embodiments, a method for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes reading, at a first location, amachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a plurality ofsample receptacles with a first label reader. The plurality of samplereceptacles are held by a sample rack having a rack-identifyingmachine-readable label. The method also includes moving the rack fromthe first location to a separate second location and sensing, at thesecond location, a rack identifier on the sample rack with a sensorseparate from the first label reader. And the method includesassociating a sensed rack identifier with a read machine-readable labelof each sample receptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles. In someembodiments, the rack identifier is a machine-readable label, and thesensor is a second label reader. In some embodiments, the rackidentifier is an RFID tag, and the sensor is an RFID reader. In someembodiments, the method also includes acquiring location dataidentifying the second location to which the sample rack was moved. Insome embodiments, the machine-readable label of each sample receptacleof a plurality of sample receptacles is a two-dimensional barcode. Thetwo-dimensional barcode can contain information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient. In some embodiments, themethod also includes determining whether a time period during which thesample rack was moved from the first location to the separate secondlocation exceeds a predetermined time period threshold. In someembodiments, reading the machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles occurs while the samplerack is moved between a first position and a second position at thefirst location. In some embodiments, the method also includes measuringa position of the sample rack as the sample rack moves between the firstposition and the second position; acquiring an image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position; decoding the acquired image of the machine-readablelabel of each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles;and associating a decoded acquired image of the machine-readable labelof each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles withthe corresponding sample receptacle based on a measured position of thesample rack when the image of the machine-readable label was acquired.

In some embodiments, a method of reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes moving, between a first position and asecond position along a first lane in a housing, a first sample rackconfigured to hold a first plurality of sample receptacles each having amachine-readable label. The method also includes moving a camera tofocus the camera at a point along the first lane, and reading themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the first pluralityof sample receptacles of the first sample rack as the first sample rackmoves from the first position to the second position. The method alsoincludes moving, between a first position and a second position along asecond first lane different than the first lane in the housing, a secondsample rack configured to hold a second plurality of sample receptacleseach having a machine-readable label. Further, the method includesmoving the camera to focus the camera at a point along the second laneand reading the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of thesecond plurality of sample receptacles of the second sample rack as thesecond sample rack moves from the first position to the second position.In some embodiments, the camera is a fixed focal length camera. In otherembodiments, the camera is a variable focal length camera. In someembodiments, moving the first sample rack includes manually moving thefirst sample rack, and moving the second sample rack includes manuallymoving the second sample rack. In other embodiments, moving the firstsample rack includes automatically moving the first sample rack, andmoving the second sample rack includes automatically moving the secondsample rack. In some embodiments, the method also includes activating alight source simultaneously with reading the machine-readable label ofeach sample receptacle of the first plurality of sample receptacles ofthe first sample rack as the first sample rack moves from the firstposition to the second position, and activating the light sourcesimultaneously with reading the machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of the second plurality of sample receptacles of the secondsample rack as the second sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position. In some embodiments, the method includes reading arack-identifying machine-readable label on each of the first and secondsample racks. The machine-readable label can be a two-dimensionalbarcode that, in some embodiments, contains information that associatesa sample within the sample receptacle to a patient.

In some embodiments, a system for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes a housing and a camera configured to acquirean image of a machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of aplurality of sample receptacles as a sample rack configured to hold theplurality of sample receptacles moves between a first position and asecond position within the housing. The system also includes aprocessing and control unit configured to decode an acquired image ofthe machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a plurality ofsample receptacles. The processing and control unit is also configuredto associate a decoded acquired image of the machine-readable label ofeach sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles with thecorresponding receptacle based on a measured absolute position of thesample rack when the image of the machine-readable label was acquired.In some embodiments, the system also includes position sensor configuredto measure an absolute position of the sample rack. The position sensoris configured to measure the absolute position of the sample rack usinga position indicator on the sample rack. The position sensor can be aplurality of optic read sensors, a plurality of magnetic read sensors, aplurality of capacitive read sensors, a plurality of gears, or aplurality of friction wheels. In some embodiments, the camera isconfigured to acquire an image of an optical encoder strip on the samplerack, and the processing and control unit is configured to decode anacquired image of the optical encoder strip to measure the absoluteposition of the sample rack and configured to associate a measuredabsolute position of the sample rack with an acquired image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a plurality ofsample receptacles. In some embodiments, the system is configured suchthat the sample rack is manually moved between the first position andthe second position. In some embodiments, the system is configured suchthat the sample rack is automatically moved between the first positionand the second position. The camera can be a line scan camera or an areascan camera. The machine-readable label can be a two-dimensional barcodethat, in some embodiments, contains information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient. The camera can be disposedwithin the housing or coupled to the housing. The processing and controlunit can be disposed within the housing or coupled to the housing.

In some embodiments, a system for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes a housing and a label reader configured toread a machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a pluralityof sample receptacles held by a sample rack that moves between a firstposition and a second position within the housing. The system alsoincludes a processing and control unit configured to activate the labelreader when the sample rack is at each of a plurality of predeterminedpositions between the first position and the second position to read themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position. In some embodiments, the label reader is furtherconfigured to read a machine-readable rack identifier label on thesample rack. In some embodiments, the system also includes a sensoroperatively coupled to an RFID tag on the sample rack. In someembodiments, the system also includes a sensor operatively coupled to aposition indicator on the sample rack to determine a position of thesample rack between the first position and the second position. Theposition sensor can be a plurality of optic read sensors, a plurality ofmagnetic read sensors, a plurality of capacitive read sensors, aplurality of gears, or a plurality of friction wheels. The processingand control unit can be configured to activate a light source when thesample rack is at each of the plurality of predetermined positions. Thesystem can be configured such that the sample rack is manually movedbetween the first position and the second position. The system can alsobe configured such that the sample rack is automatically moved betweenthe first position and the second position. In some embodiments, thelabel reader is disposed within the housing or coupled to the housing.In some embodiments, the processing and control unit is disposed withinthe housing or coupled to the housing.

In some embodiments, a system for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes a sample rack having a rack identifier andconfigured to hold a plurality of sample receptacles, each having amachine-readable label. The system also includes a first locationconfigured to receive the sample rack, and a sensor configured to readthe rack identifier when the sample rack is at the first location. Thesystem also includes a second location configured to receive the samplerack, and a first label reader, separate from the sensor, configured toread the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of theplurality of sample receptacles when the rack is at the second location.In some embodiments, the rack identifier is a machine-readable label,and the sensor is a second label reader. In some embodiments, the rackidentifier is an RFID tag, and the sensor is an RFID reader. In someembodiments, the machine-readable label is a two-dimensional barcodethat, in some embodiments, contains information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient. The system can be configuredsuch that the sample rack is manually moved between a first position anda second position when at the first location. The system can also beconfigured such that the sample rack is automatically moved between afirst position and a second position when at the first location.

In some embodiments, a system for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes a housing and a sample rack configured tohold a plurality of sample receptacles, each having a two-dimensionalmachine-readable label and configured to move between a first positionand a second position within the housing. The system also includes areader configured to read the two-dimensional machine-readable label ofeach sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles as thesample rack moves between the first position and the second position.The system also includes a processing and control unit configured todecode the read two-dimensional machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles. The processing andcontrol unit is also configured to associate the decoded two-dimensionalmachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles with the corresponding receptacle based on a measuredposition of the sample rack when the two-dimensional machine-readablelabel was read. In some embodiments, the system is configured such thatthe sample rack is manually moved between the first position and thesecond position. In other embodiments, the system is configured suchthat the sample rack is automatically moved between the first positionand the second position. In some embodiments, the reader is disposedwithin the housing or coupled to the housing. In some embodiments, theprocessing and control unit is disposed within the housing or coupled tothe housing.

In some embodiments, a system for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles includes a housing defining at least a first lane anda second lane. Each lane is configured to receive a sample rack adaptedto hold a plurality of sample receptacles, and each of the samplereceptacles has a machine-readable label. The system also includes acamera configured to move to a first position that focuses the camera ata first position along the first lane and to a second position thatfocuses the camera at a second position along the second lane secondlane. The camera is configured to acquire an image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a first plurality ofsample receptacles of a first sample rack moving along the first lane.The camera is also configured to acquire an image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a second pluralityof sample receptacles of a second sample rack moving along the secondlane. In some embodiments, the camera is a fixed focal length camera. Inother embodiments, the camera is a variable focal length camera. In someembodiments, the camera is configured to acquire images of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of a plurality ofsample receptacles of sample racks being manually moved along the firstlane and the second lane. In some embodiments, the camera is configuredto acquire images of the machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles of sample racks beingautomatically moved along the first lane and the second lane. In someembodiments, the machine-readable label is a two-dimensional barcodethat, in some embodiments, contains information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient. In some embodiments, thecamera comprises a CCD camera or a CMOS camera. In some embodiments, thesystem also includes a light source configured to illuminate themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle within the housing. Insome embodiments, the system includes a moveable stage to which thecamera and the light source are coupled. In some embodiments, the camerais configured to move along a lane parallel to the first and secondlane. In some embodiments, the system also includes a mirror positionedalong an optical path between the camera and the first position on thefirst lane and the second position on the second lane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a partof the specification, illustrate the embodiments and, together with thedescription, further serve to explain the principles of the embodimentsand to enable a person skilled in the relevant art(s) to make and usethe embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a partial, perspective view of an analyzer systemthat includes a sample bay according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional plan view of the analyzer system ofFIG. 1 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of a sample bay according toan embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of the sample bay of FIG. 3according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sample rack configured to hold a plurality ofsample receptacles with a portion of a cover removed for illustrativepurposes according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a sample rack with a cover uncoupledfrom a base of the sample rack according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates bottom perspective view of a sample rack according toan embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a sample rack having a positionindicator according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side view of a sample rack having a positionindicator according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of a sample rack having aposition indicator according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a sample bay with a rackpartially inserted into a housing of the sample bay according to anembodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a front perspective view of the sample bay of FIG.11 with a rack fully inserted into a housing of the sample bay accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front perspective view of the sample bay havingposition sensors according to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a front perspective view of the sample bay havingposition sensors according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 illustrates a front perspective view of the sample bay modulehaving position sensors according to yet another embodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a front perspective view of the sample bay havingposition sensors according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a side perspective view of a sample bay according tostill yet another embodiment.

FIG. 18 illustrates a front perspective view of an analyzer systemhaving a sample bay and a separate compartment for imaging a samplerack.

The features and advantages of the embodiments will become more apparentfrom the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunctionwith the drawings, in which like reference characters identifycorresponding elements throughout. In the drawings, like referencenumbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and/orstructurally similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference toembodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “anexemplary embodiment,” “for example,” “an example,” etc., indicate thatthe embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include theparticular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrasesare not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within theknowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure,or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or notexplicitly described.

Some embodiments described in this application provide systems andmethods for reading one- and two-dimensional barcodes on samplereceptacles in applications in which there are one or more of thefollowing design considerations: limited working space, strict field ofview requirement, high resolution requirement, and high speedrequirement (for example, when receptacles are manually moved by auser). For example, a system can include a housing (for example, asample bay housing) configured to receive a plurality of sample racksalong a plurality of lanes. Each sample rack holds sample receptacleshaving two-dimensional barcodes. The system includes a reader, forexample, a laser barcode scanner or a camera, that reads thetwo-dimensional barcode. The system also includes a processing andcontrol unit that decodes the read two-dimensional barcodes to obtaininformation from the barcodes and associate the information with acorresponding sample receptacle. Such systems and methods for readingtwo-dimensional barcodes on sample receptacles can be used forperforming assays on fluid sample material and for identifying thecontents of the sample receptacles, for example, patient information(e.g., patient identification numbers).

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate perspective and plan views, respectively, of anexemplary analyzer system 10 for performing assays on fluid samplematerial. In some embodiments, analyzer system 10 is configured toperform a multi-step analytical process (for example, a nucleic acidtest (NAT) designed to detect microbe, such as a virus or a bacterium)or other chemical, biochemical or biological processes. Exemplaryprocess steps include, for example, adding substances (e.g., fluids),such as samples, solid supports, buffers, oil, primers, polymerases,nucleotides, labels, probes, or other reaction fluids, to and/orremoving substances from receptacles, agitating receptacles to mix thecontents thereof, maintaining and/or altering the temperature of thecontents of the receptacles (for example, using heated incubatorsconfigured to receive a plurality of reaction receptacles and maintainthe receptacles in an elevated temperature environment), heating orchilling the contents of the receptacles (for example, using temperatureramping stations configured raise the temperature of the contents ofreaction receptacles or chilling modules configured to reduce thetemperature of the contents of the receptacles), altering theconcentration of one or more content components of the receptacles,separating or isolating constituent components of the contents of thereceptacles (for example, using magnetic separation wash stationsconfigured to isolate a target nucleic acid immobilized on amagnetically-responsive solid support from the contents of thereceptacle), detecting an electromagnetic signal emission (for example,light) from the contents of the receptacles (for example, using detectorconfigured to detect a signal (e.g., an optical signal) emitted by thecontents of the reaction receptacle), deactivating or halting anon-going reaction, or any combination of two or more of such processes.Fluid sample material may include, for example, urine, blood, plasma,sputum, saliva, mucus, pus, seminal fluid, amniotic fluid, cerebrospinalfluid, synovial fluid, and cultures.

In some embodiments, fluid sample material is introduced into analyzersystem 10 via a sample bay 100. FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectionalview of analyzer 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2 ,analyzer 10 includes a sample bay 100 configured to receive a pluralityof sample racks, which is described further below. In some embodiments,analyzer 10 also includes a reagent bay 12. Reagent bay 12 is configuredto store one or more containers of reagents used during a multi-stepanalytical process. In some embodiments, analyzer 10 includes a reader14, for example, a barcode reader, configured to read machine-readablelabels, for example, barcodes, on the reagent containers stored withinreagent bay 12. In some embodiments, analyzer 10 includes one or moretip drawers 16 configured to store a plurality of tips used by a fluidtransfer device. In some embodiments, analyzer 10 includes a targetcapture reagent carousel 18 configured to support and rotate one or morecontainers of a target capture reagent (TCR). In some embodiments,analyzer 10 includes a reader 20, for example, a barcode reader,configured to read machine-readable labels, for example, barcodes, onTCR containers on TCR carousel 18.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate front and rear perspective views, respectively,of a sample bay 100 according to an embodiment. Sample bay 100 isconfigured to receive a plurality of sample racks 102 along definedlanes within sample bay 100. Sample racks 102 support a plurality ofsample receptacles (not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) that contain fluidsample material. For example, as shown in FIG. 3 , sample bay 100 isconfigured to receive eight sample racks 102 that move along definedlanes within sample bay 100. In other embodiments, sample bay 100 isconfigured to receive less than or more than eight sample racks 102.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , sample bay 100 includes a housing 101 thatdefines an interior compartment that receives sample racks 102. Housing101 can be rectangular as shown FIGS. 3 and 4 or any other suitableshape. In some embodiments, housing 101 includes a base 104 that isplanar and rectangular, a first sidewall 106 and a second sidewall 108extending from opposing sides of base 104, and a back wall 110 extendingfrom a back side of base 104 between first and second sidewalls 106 and108. Housing 101 has an opening 112 at its front end to allow sampleracks 102 to be inserted into and removed from the compartment definedby housing 101.

In some embodiments, housing 101 defines a plurality of lanes alongwhich sample racks 102 move, for example, eight lanes as shown in FIGS.3 and 4 . In some embodiments, base 104 includes a plurality of guides114 that define the lanes of housing 101. Guides 114 are protrusionsthat extend from base 104 and are configured to operatively mate with acorresponding recess of sample racks 102. Guides 114 can help ensurethat sample racks 102 are accurately and repeatably positioned in thedefined lanes of housing 101 as sample racks 102 move. As shown in FIGS.3 and 4 , the lanes are straight and extend from the front end ofhousing 101 to the back end of housing 101.

In some embodiments, housing 101 also includes a top panel 116. In someembodiments, top panel 116 includes a plurality of guides 118 thatdefine, along with guides 114, the lanes in which sample racks 102 move.Guides 118 can be protrusions that extend from top panel 116 toward base104 and that are configured to operatively mate with correspondingrecesses on sample racks 102. In some embodiments, top panel 116 definesa plurality of sample receptacle access openings 126, which in someembodiments as shown in FIG. 3 , are arranged in a rectangular array ofrows and columns. Each column of openings 126 is aligned with arespective sample rack 102, providing the system, for example, ananalyzer system, with easy access to receptacles held by sample racks102.

Sample bay 100 also includes a reader 124 configured to readmachine-readable labels on sample racks 102, including machine-readablelabels on receptacles held by sample racks 102. In some embodiments, asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , sample bay 100 includes a reader support 120configured to support reader 124. In some embodiments, reader 124 iscoupled to reader support 120 and, thus, coupled to housing 101. Asshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , reader support 120 is fixedly coupled tohousing 101, for example, fixedly coupled to side wall 108. In someembodiments, when viewed from above, reader support 120 is U-shaped andforms a compartment sized to receive and support reader 124. And reader124 is coupled to reader support 120, fixing the position of reader 124relative to housing 101 in some embodiments.

Side wall 108 defines an opening 122 extending into the interiorcompartment defined by housing 101 such that reader 124 can read labelson sample racks 102 within housing 101 through opening 122. In someembodiments, reader 124 is configured to read machine-readable labels assample racks 102 are pushed into or removed from housing 101 or aftersample racks 102 are fully inserted into housing 101. In someembodiments, reader 124 is configured to read, for example, barcodes. Insome embodiments, reading machine-readable labels comprises emittinglight from a light source and measuring the intensity of light reflectedback from the machine-readable label as the light source scans acrossthe machine-readable label, for example, by using a laser barcodereader. In other embodiments, reading machine-readable labels comprisesacquiring an image of the machine-readable label. In some embodiments,reader 124 is configured to read two-dimensional barcode labels (and insome embodiments, one-dimensional barcode labels or both one- andtwo-dimensional barcode labels) on sample racks 102, includingmachine-readable labels on receptacles held by sample racks 102.

In some embodiments, reader 124 is disposed outside of housing 101 andspaced was from opening 122 as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 11-16 . In someembodiments (not shown), reader 124 is disposed outside of housing 101and directly adjacent opening 122. In other embodiments (not shown),reader 124 is disposed within housing 101.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 3 , sample bay 100 includes alight source 125, for example, a strobe light, configured to illuminatethe interior of housing 101. For example, light source 125 canilluminate labels on sample receptacles 128 within housing 101. As shownin FIG. 3 , for example, light source 125 is near reader 124 and coupledto reader support 120. In some embodiments, light source 125 includes anarray of LEDs. In some embodiments (not shown), light source 125 isdisposed inside housing 101 or any other suitable location. In someembodiments, light source 125 is embodied within reader 124.

In some embodiments, sample bay 100, including reader 124 and its dataprocessing system, are configured as described in the variousembodiments disclosed in International Application No.PCT/US2010/035146, filed on May 17, 2010, and in U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2012/0261469, published on Oct. 18, 2012, both of whichare incorporated by reference in this application.

FIGS. 5-10 illustrate various embodiments of sample rack 102. Referringto FIG. 5 , sample rack 102 is configured to hold a plurality of samplereceptacles 128. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , sample rack 102 isconfigured to hold 15 sample receptacles 128. In some embodiments,sample rack 102 includes a base 129 that defines a plurality of pockets130 for closely receiving sample receptacles 128. Pockets 130 can beseparated from each other by a vertical dividing wall in someembodiments. In some embodiments, sample receptacles 128 are tubularcontainers, for example, test tubes. In other embodiments, samplereceptacles 128 can be any other container suitable for holding a fluidor liquid, for example, a cuvette, beaker, or microtiter plate. In someembodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , sample receptacles 128 include a capthat seals sample receptacles 128. The cap can be penetrated by theprobe of a fluid transfer mechanism of analyzer system 10. In someembodiments, sample rack 102 is made from a suitable, non-reactivematerial, for example, plastic or Delrin® acetyl resin.

In some embodiments, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 , sample rack 102includes a resilient element, such as a spring clip 131, for each pocket130. Spring clip 131 comprises a bent element (made of, e.g., springstainless steel) with one portion attached to a dividing wall definingpocket 130 and another portion extending at an acute angle into pocket130. Each spring clip 131 can accommodate sample receptacles 128 ofvarying sizes. A sample receptacle 128 is held in a relatively secure,fixed position within pocket 130 by means of spring clip 131 which urgessample receptacle 128 toward a dividing wall forming one side of pocket130.

As shown in FIG. 5 , sample rack 102 includes a handle 132 configured toallow a user to grasp and manually move sample rack 102 in someembodiments. For example, a user can grasp handle 132 to insert orremove sample rack 102 from housing 101 of sample bay 100. In someembodiments, handle 132 defines an opening 134 that is configured toallow a user's fingers to pass through. And in some embodiments, opening134 allows the optical path 150 (see FIGS. 11 and 12 ) of reader 124 topass through sample rack 102 to read a machine-readable label on asample rack 102 positioned on the other side of opening 134 from reader124.

In some embodiments, sample rack 102 includes a rack identifier 136 thatprovides unique rack-identifying information, for example, a rackidentification number. In some embodiments (not shown), rack identifier136 is an RFID tag. In such RFID embodiments, sample bay 100 includes anRFID reader configured to interrogate the RFID tag when sample rack 102is within sample bay 100. In other embodiments, rack identifier 136 is amachine readable label, for example, a one- (as shown in FIG. 5 ) ortwo-dimensional barcode. In such machine-readable-label embodiments,reader 124 is a label reader configured to read rack identifier 136.Rack identifier 136 can be positioned near handle 132 of sample rack102, as shown in FIG. 5 .

In some embodiments, sample rack 102 includes a pocket identifier 138,for example, a one- (as shown in FIG. 5 ) or two-dimensional barcodethat provides unique pocket identifying information for each pocket 130of sample rack 102. In some embodiments, pocket identifier 138 indicatesthe position of a corresponding pocket 130 on sample rack 102 and, thus,the position of a sample receptacle 128 in the corresponding pocket 130on sample rack 102. In some embodiments, pocket identifiers 138 arelocated on the outer surface of dividing walls that separate adjacentpockets 130 from each other. In some embodiments, pocket identifier 138includes an alphanumeric identifier, for example, “A,” “B,” “C,” etc.,that uniquely identifies each pocket 130. In some embodiments, samplerack 102 includes an empty-recess identifier 140, for example, amachine-readable label such as a one- (as shown in FIG. 5 ) ortwo-dimensional barcode, that is used to identify pockets 130 that donot contain a sample receptacle 128. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 ,empty-recess identifier 140 is located within each pocket 130.

In some embodiments, sample rack 102 also includes a cover 146configured to fit over the top of sample receptacles 128 held withinpockets 130 of sample rack 102. In some embodiments, cover 146 istransparent or translucent such that the contents of pockets 130 can beobserved without removing cover 146. Cover 146 is configured to bereleasably secured to base 129 of sample rack 102. In other embodiments,sample rack 102 does not include a cover 146.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , cover 146 includes a machine-readable label137 such as a one- (as shown in FIG. 5 ) or two-dimensional barcode.Label 137 is configured to be used to determine whether cover 146 iscoupled to base 129 and/or positioned properly relative to base 129.

As shown in FIG. 5 , each sample receptacle 128 within sample rack 102includes a label 142 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, labels142 include machine-readable labels 144, for example, one- ortwo-dimensional (as shown in FIG. 5 ) barcodes. Two-dimensional barcodesexpress information in two directions, for example, in the horizontaland vertical directions, and include stacked barcodes and matrixbarcodes. Two-dimensional barcodes include, for example, Aztec codes,PDF417 codes, MaxiCodes, Codablock codes, Data Matrix codes, and QRcodes. Two-dimensional barcodes can improve decoding accuracy andincrease the amount of information contained within the barcode relativeto a one-dimensional barcode. In some embodiments, two-dimensionalbarcode labels 144 contain one or more of the following items ofinformation: patient information such as a unique patient identifier(for example, patient name or patient identification number), patientmetadata (for example, date of birth, age, sex, height, or weight),medical history, or any other desired patient information; and sampleinformation such as the healthcare provider requesting the assay, thedate the sample was collected, the collection site, the type of assaysto be performed, assay test results, and other suitable information.

In some embodiments, two-dimensional barcode labels 144 have features assmall as 0.2 mm×0.2 mm. In such embodiments, reader 124 is configured toaccurately read two-dimensional barcode labels 144 when sample rack 102is moving at high speeds, for example, speeds greater than 100 mm/sec,for example, speeds greater than 300 mm/sec, 500 mm/sec, 600 mm/sec, and1000 mm/sec.

Referring to FIG. 7 , which illustrates a bottom surface 154 of samplerack 102, sample rack 102 includes a recessed guide track 156 configuredto operatively mate with guides 114 on base 104 of housing 101 in someembodiments. For example, a bottom surface 154 of sample rack 102 canform recessed guide track 156 that engages sample rack guides 114 toensure proper and repeatable positioning of sample racks 102 along thedefined lanes in housing 101. Although spring clips 131 are notillustrated in FIG. 7 , sample rack 102 in FIG. 7 can include springclips 131.

In some embodiments, sample bay 100 is configured such that sample racks102 are manually inserted within housing 101 of sample bay 100. In thisapplication, “manually inserted,” “manually moved,” or similar phrasesmean that sample racks 102 are inserted or moved without using automatedor electrical device components. That is, sample racks 102 are insertedor moved within housing 101 along the defined lanes using only theuser's hands. When sample racks 102 are manually moved, sample racks 102can move at a high speed that exceeds 100 mm/sec, for example, speedsgreater than 300 mm/sec, 500 mm/sec, 600 mm/sec, or 1000 mm/sec.

In other embodiments, sample bay 100 is configured to automatically movesample rack 102 within housing 101 of sample bay 100. For example,sample bay 100 can include an automated actuator that moves sample racks102 within housing 101 of sample bay 100 to a fully inserted position.In some embodiments, sample rack 102 is automatically moved withinhousing 101 at a known, constant speed.

To place a sample rack 102 within housing 101 of sample bay 100, a useraligns guide track 156 with guides 114 on base 104. The user then movessample rack 102 in a direction 148 (as shown in FIG. 11 ) along a lanedefined by guides 114 from a first, initial position to a second, fullyinserted position within housing 101 of sample bay 100. In someembodiments, sample bay 100 includes sensors that detect the presence ofsample rack 102 and whether sample rack 102 is fully inserted into thesample bay 100. As best seen in FIG. 5 , sample receptacles 128 areplaced in sample rack 102 such that labels 142 are aligned with theopenings defined by the dividing walls that separate adjacent pockets130 from each other. Accordingly, labels 142 are visible to reader 124through opening 122 defined in side wall 108 of housing 101. Thus, assample rack 102 moves from the initial position to the fully insert,reader 124 can read labels 142 on each sample receptacle 128 on samplerack 102.

In some embodiments, sample bay 100 includes a position measurementsystem that measures the position of sample rack 102 within housing 101.In some embodiments, the position measurement system is configured todetermine the absolute position of sample rack 102. In this application,“absolute position” means the exact position of sample rack 102 withinsample bay 100. In contrast, for example, “incremental position” meansan incremental range of positions that sample rack 102 could be withinsample bay 100 from a reference point.

In some embodiments, in which sample bay 100 includes an absoluteposition measurement system, sample rack 102 includes an absoluteposition indicator 158. In some embodiments, position indicator 158extends along a length of sample rack 102 (for example, along base 129or cover 146) that overlaps with pockets 130. For example, referring toFIGS. 8 and 10 , position indicator 158 extends along a length of cover146 that overlaps all pockets 130 defined in sample rack 102 in someembodiments. In FIG. 8 , position indicator 158 is located on a sidesurface 161 of cover 146, and in FIG. 10 , position indicator 158 ispositioned on a top surface 162 of cover 146. In some embodiments,position indicator 158 extends along a length of base 129 that overlapsall pockets 130 defined in sample rack 102. And referring to FIG. 7 , insome embodiments, position indicator 158 is positioned on a bottomsurface 154 of sample rack 102. In some embodiments, structural featuresof sample rack 102 form position indicator 158. For example, in FIG. 7 ,guide track 156 also functions as position indicator 158. Guide track156 includes a repeating, alternating pattern of offset sections 159 and160. Position indicator 158 can be positioned at any other suitablelocations.

In some embodiments, position indicator 158 can be an optical encoderstrip affixed to sample rack 102, a magnetic encoder strip affixed tosample rack 102, a friction strip formed on sample rack 102, or aplurality of recesses in a repeating pattern (including, for example,through-holes) formed on sample rack 102, or a plurality of protrusionsin a repeating pattern (including, for example, gear teeth) formed onsample rack 102.

In some embodiments, the position measurement system includes a positionsensor that operatively corresponds to the type of position indicator158 coupled to sample rack 102. For example, in some embodiments inwhich positioning indicator 158 is an optical encoder strip or amagnetic encoder strip affixed to sample rack 102, the measurementsystem can include optical or magnetic read sensors 164 coupled tohousing 101 and configured to read the optical encoder strip or themagnetic encoder strip as sample rack 102 passes near (for example,over, under, or to the side of) optical or magnetic read sensors 164 asshown in FIGS. 13 and 14 . In some embodiments, read sensors 164 arepositioned on base 104 as shown in FIG. 13 when position indicator 158is located on a bottom surface of sample rack 102. As shown in FIGS. 13and 14 , for example, each lane within housing 101 of sample bay 100includes optical or magnetic read sensors 164 configured to sense aposition indicator 158 on a sample rack 102 that is moving along thecorresponding lane. In some embodiments in which an optical encoderstrip or a magnetic encoder strip is fixed to top surface 162 of cover146, the measurement system can include optical or magnetic read sensors164 positioned on top panel 116 that are configured to read an opticalencoder strip or a magnetic encoder strip 158 as sample rack 102 passessensors 164, as shown in FIG. 14 . In other embodiments in whichposition indicator 158 is an optical encoder strip fixed to side surface161, the measurement system can include through-beam sensors 165 thatgenerate a beam aligned with position indicator 158 to read opticalencoder strip 158. In some embodiments in which position indicator 158is a plurality of repeating recesses formed on sample rack 102, themeasurement system can include a position sensor that includes a gear166 which engages the plurality of corresponding recesses formed onsample rack 102, as shown in FIG. 15 . As sample rack 102 moves betweenpositions along the lane within housing 101 of sample bay 100, gear 166rotates to encode the absolute position of sample rack 102. In someembodiments in which position indicator 158 is a friction strip affixedto sample rack 102, the measurement system can include a position sensorthat includes a friction wheel, similar to gear 166 shown in FIG. 15 ,except without teeth and instead having a surface with a highcoefficient of friction. As sample rack 102, having a friction strip158, moves between positions along the lane within sample bay 100, thefriction wheel engages the friction strip 158 and rotates to encode theabsolute position of sample rack 102.

In some embodiments, the position measurement system is configured todetermine the incremental position of sample rack 102.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12 , in some embodiments, reader 124 has anoptical path 150 and is configured to read a label at an object plane152 along optical path 150. In some embodiments, the working distancerange of reader 124 is large enough to include each lane defined inhousing 101, along which sample racks 102 move. In some embodiments inwhich reader 124 is a camera, reader 124 is a charge-coupled device(CCD) or complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) camera. In somecamera embodiments, reader 124 is a line scan or an area scan camera. Insome camera embodiments, reader 124 has a field of view heightsufficient to read a label, for example, label 144, on sample rack 102at each lane of housing 101. In some camera embodiments, reader 124samples at a rate sufficient to acquire an image of a label, forexample, label 144, on sample rack 102 moving at a rate up to at least1000 mm/sec, including for example 100 mm/sec, 300 mm/sec, 500 mm/sec,and 600 mm/sec. For example, in some embodiments, reader 124 samples ata rate of at least 35 Hz, such as 50 Hz or 60 Hz. For example, reader124 can be a CMOS, line scan camera having a working distance range thatincludes each lane of housing 101 along which sample racks 102 move, afield of view greater than a height of sample rack 102, and a samplerate of at least 60 Hz.

In some embodiments in which reader 124 is a camera, as a sample rack102 is inserted into sample bay 100 along a lane defined by guides 114(and in direction 148), reader 124 is configured to acquire images ofsample rack 102 as it passes through object plane 152. For example, theacquired images can include images of labels 138, 140, 144, 137, and136, that pass-through object plane 152 of reader 124. In someembodiments, the acquired images are transmitted to a processing andcontrol unit configured to process the acquired images to decodeinformation contained in labels 138, 140, 144, 137, and 136 of theacquired images. In some embodiments, the processing and control unit iscoupled to or disposed in housing 101. In some embodiments, this imagedecoding occurs after sample rack 102 is fully inserted into housing 101of sample bay 100. In some embodiments, decoding the acquired imagesafter sample rack 102 is fully inserted allows camera reader 124 to havea higher sample rate. For example, with such post-processing, camerareader 124 can have a sample rate of at least 30 frames per second and,in some embodiments, at least 60 frames per second. In some embodiments,the processing and control unit is configured to decode a one-to-threesecond video stream captured by camera reader 124 after the images areacquired (in contrast to real-time decoding), which can increase thesample rate.

In some embodiments, in which position indicator 158 on sample rack 102is an optical encoder strip, reader 124 can be configured to acquireimages of the optical encoder strip in addition to acquiring images oflabels 138, 140, 144, 137, and 136. The acquired images of opticalencoder strip 158 can be transmitted to the processing and control unit,and the processing and control unit decodes the acquired images of theoptical encoder strip to determine the absolute position of sample rack102 within housing 101 of sample bay 100. In such embodiments, reader124 can be a line scan camera. In some line scan camera embodiments,reader 124 has at least a 5 μm pixel resolution (e.g., 7 μm pixelresolution) and that samples at a rate of at least 50 frames per second(for example, 60 or 80 frames per second). For example, a line scancamera reader 124 that samples at a rate of 60 frames per second cancapture an image about every 10 μm when sample rack 102 moves at a rateof 600 mm/sec. In some line scan camera embodiments, reader 124 has atleast 1500 pixels (e.g., 2000 pixels) and a field of view of at least 50mm (e.g., 100 mm). For example, when line scan camera reader 124 has2000 pixels and a field of view of 100 mm, each of the pixel images isabout 50 μm. In some embodiments, the optical encoder strip includes aplurality of lines having widths that cover at least three pixels of aline scan camera reader 124. In some line scan camera embodiments, linescan camera reader 124 has a working distance in the range of 200 mm to300 mm.

In some embodiments, sample rack 102 is moved between a first positionin housing 101 of sample bay 100 to a second position in housing 101 ofsample bay 100. The first position can be, for example, when sample rack102 first engages guides 114 on base 104 of housing 101, and the secondposition can be, for example, any position between the first positionand a position at which sample rack 102 is fully inserted in housing101.

In some embodiments, the user manually moves sample rack 102 between thefirst and second positions. When manually inserted, sample rack 102 canbe moved at a rate that exceeds 100 mm/sec, for example, rates thatexceed 300 mm/sec, 500 mm/sec, 600 mm/sec, or 1000 mm/sec.

As sample rack 102 is moved between the first position and the secondposition in housing 101, a position measurement system, for example, anyone of the above described embodiments of a position measurement system,measures the absolute position of sample rack 102 in some embodiments.Also, as sample rack 102 is moved between the first position and thesecond position, reader 124 acquires images of sample rack 102,including images of machine-readable labels 144 of sample receptacle128, at object plane 152 of reader 124. Reader 124 transmits theacquired images to the processing and control unit that decodes theacquired images, including decoding the acquired images ofmachine-readable labels 144 on each sample receptacle 128 passingthrough object plane 152. In some embodiments, decoding the acquiredimages comprises processing the acquired images to determine if theacquired images include a machine-readable label and, if they do,extracting the information contained in the machine-readable label. Insome embodiments, this decoding occurs after sample rack 102 is fullyinserted within housing 101 of sample bay 100.

In some embodiments, the processing and control unit determines thespeed at which sample rack 102 is moved between first and secondpositions in housing 101. For example, in embodiments using an opticalencoder strip, the processing and control unit processes the acquiredimages to determine the rack insertion speed. In some embodiments, theprocessing and control unit also associates information decoded from anacquired image of the machine-readable label 144 with the correspondingsample receptacle 128 based on the measured absolute position of samplerack 102 when the decoded image of the machine-readable label 144 wasacquired. The processing and control unit can store this associationinto a memory of the system.

In some embodiments, the processing and control unit decodes informationfrom an acquired image of the machine-readable label 144 and associatesthe decoded information with the corresponding sample receptacle 128without acquiring an image of pocket identifier 138 on sample rack 102.For example, the processing and control unit can be configured toactivate reader 124 when sample rack 102 is at predetermined positionsthat correspond to when the center of each pocket 130 of sample rack 102is aligned with object plane 152 of reader 124, when rack identifier 136is aligned with object plane 152 of reader 124, and when coveridentifier 137 is aligned with object plane 152. At these predeterminedpositions, reader 124 acquires images of empty-recess identifier 140 ortwo-dimensional barcode 144, rack identifier 136, and cover identifier144, respectively. The processing and control unit can also deactivatereader 124 when sample rack 102 is not at the predetermined positionsthat correspond to when the center of each pocket 130 of sample rack 102is aligned with object plane 152 of reader 124, when rack identifier 136is aligned with object plane 152 of reader 124, and when coveridentifier 137 is aligned with object plane 152. That is, activation ofreader 124 is modulated based on the position of sample rack 102. Insuch embodiments, reader 124 can be a two-dimensional barcode reader,for example, a laser barcode reader, having a sample rate less than 35scans per second, for example, a scan rate of about 16-32 scans persecond, even when sample rack 102 is traveling at speeds exceeding 100mm/sec, for example, speeds exceeding 500 mm/sec—speeds associated withmanual insertion of sample rack 102 within sample bay 100. In someembodiments, sample rack 102 moves at a speed up to 1000 mm/sec. In suchembodiments, the measured position of sample rack 102 is determined by aposition measurement system having a sensor separate from reader 124.For example, the measured position of sample rack 102 can be determinedusing position indicators 158 (for example, a pattern of recesses orprotrusions, an optical encoder tape, a magnetic encoder tape, acapacitive strip) and position sensors (for example, optical or magneticread sensors 164, gear or friction wheel 166, or through-beam sensors165) as described above. Determining the position of sample rack 102using position indicators 158 and position sensors 164, 165, or 166,separate from reader 124, can help minimize the necessary performancerequirements of reader 124. In some embodiments, the processing andcontrol unit is also configured to activate light source 125 when samplerack 102 is at each of the plurality of predeterminedpositions—simultaneously when acquiring the image with reader 124. Usinglight source 125 when acquiring the image can further reduce thenecessary performance requirement of reader 124.

In some embodiments, this method of associating information from adecoded acquired image of the machine-readable label 144 with thecorresponding sample receptacle 128 is used when manually moving samplerack 102 between the first and second positions in housing 101, forexample, when the sample rack 102 is moving at a rate of at least 100mm/sec (e.g., at least 300 mm/sec or 500 mm/sec and as fast as 1000mm/sec).

Referring to FIG. 18 , in some embodiments, an analyzer system 10includes a sample bay 100 having a reader 124, and a second module 180that is separate from sample bay 100. In some embodiments, second module180 defines a compartment 184 configured to receive at least one samplerack 102. Second module 180 also has a second reader 186 separate fromreader 124 of sample bay 100. In some embodiments, sample bay 100 andsecond module 180 are enclosed in separate housings that are coupledtogether—housing 182 of second module 180 is separate from the housingdefining sample bay 100 as shown in FIG. 18 . In other embodiments,sample bay 100 and second module 180 are enclosed within the samehousing, but the compartments of each sample bay 100 and second module180 are separated by a wall.

Second reader 186 is configured to read a machine-readable label, forexample, rack identifier 136, cover identifier 137, and two-dimensionalbarcode 144 on each sample receptacle 128, when inserted within secondmodule 180. In some embodiments, second reader 186 is configured to readtwo-dimensional barcode 144 on each sample receptacle 128 as sample rack102 is inserted within compartment 184 of second module 180. In otherembodiments, second reader 186 is configured to scan sample rack 102 toread two-dimensional barcode 144 for each sample receptacle 128 aftersample rack 102 is inserted. The acquired images are transmitted to theprocessing and control unit to be decoded.

After acquiring the images of the barcodes, including two-dimensionalbarcodes 144 on receptacles 128 of sample rack 102, in second module180, a user can manually remove sample rack 102 from second module 180and insert the same sample rack 102 in sample bay 100. In someembodiments, barcode reader 124 (for example, a one-dimensional laserbarcode reader) does not read barcodes 144 on receptacles 128 as samplerack 102 is inserted along an available lane in sample bay 100. Insteadreader 124 only reads rack identifier 136 (for example, aone-dimensional barcode) to confirm the sample rack 102 that was justscanned in second module 180 was inserted in sample bay 100. Reader 124can also read cover identifier 137 to ensure the presence and properpositioning of cover 146. The processing and control unit can thenassociate the information decoded from the acquired images oftwo-dimensional barcodes 144 at second module 180 with the rackidentifier 136 of sample rack 102 inserted in sample bay 100. In someembodiments, the processing and control unit can be configured to eraseor otherwise disable reader 124 if sample rack 102 is not inserted intosample bay 100 within a predetermined time period, for example, 5seconds. Thus, if sample rack 102 is not moved to sample bay 100 withinthe predetermined time period, the processing and control unit will notrecognize sample rack 102 as having been previously scanned in thesecond module 180, and sample rack 102 will have to be scanned again insecond module 180. This timing requirement can help minimize the riskthat one or more un-scanned receptacles are switched for scannedreceptacles 128 in the time between removing sample rack 102 from secondmodule 180 and inserting sample rack 102 into sample bay 100. In someembodiments, reader 124 is configured only to read one-dimensionalbarcode labels, and second reader 186 is configured to read one- andtwo-dimensional barcodes. In some embodiments in which rack identifier136 is an RFID tag, system 10 includes an RFID reader in sample bay 100configured to interrogate sample rack 102 having an RFID tag.

Referring to FIG. 17 , in some embodiments, sample bay 100 includes areader support 168 that is moveable relative to the lanes along whichsample racks 102 move within housing 101 of sample bay 100. In someembodiments, sample bay 100 includes a camera 170 fixedly coupled toreader support 168 such that camera 170 moves along with reader support168. In some embodiments, camera 170 has a fixed focal length. In otherembodiments, camera 170 has a variable focal length. The sample bay 100can include an actuator that moves reader support 168 along a path 169such that object plane 152 of camera 170 is operatively aligned with alane having the sample rack 102 being imaged. In some embodiments, theactuator is a linear actuator such as mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic,piezoelectric, and electro-mechanical linear actuators, for example. Insome embodiments, reader support 168 is configured to move along path169 in a range from about 150 mm to about 350 mm Reader support 168 isconfigured such that object plane 152 of camera 170 can be aligned witheach lane within sample bay 100. In some embodiments, path 169 of readersupport 168 is parallel to the lanes along which sample racks 102 movewithin sample bay 100. In some embodiments, camera 170 is a CCD or CMOScamera. In some embodiments, camera 170 acquires images at a rate of atleast 35 frames per second. For example, camera 170 can acquire imagesat a rate of 60 frames per second. In some embodiments, the direction ofan optical path 150 from a lens 172 of camera 170 is bent. For example,as shown in FIG. 17 , bay 100 can include a mirror 176 that bendsoptical path 150 towards the lanes along which sample racks 102 move.For example, as shown in FIG. 17 , mirror 176 bends optical path 150ninety degrees towards the lanes of sample bay 100. In otherembodiments, mirror 176 bends optical path 150 at other angles more thanor less than ninety degrees. In some embodiments, sample bay 100includes a light source 174 configured to illuminate the lanes withinsample bay 100. In some embodiments, light source 174 is also coupled toreader support 168 such that light source 174 moves along with readersupport 168 and camera 170. In some embodiments, the optical path oflight waves emitted from light source 174 coincides with optical path150 of camera 170. Light source 174 can be one or more LEDs in someembodiments. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 17 , light source 174comprises eight LEDs—for example, four above lens 172 of camera 170 andfour below lens 172. In other embodiments, light source 174 comprisesfour LEDs—for example, two above lens 172 and two below lens 172. Inembodiments in which light source 174 comprises LEDs, the number andconfiguration of the LEDs may vary to achieve the desired illuminationwithin sample bay 100. In some embodiments, light source 174 isincorporated into camera 170.

In use, sample rack 102 is moved between a first position and a secondposition along a first lane in housing 101 of sample bay 100. Forexample, sample rack 102 is manually moved along the first lane. Thefirst position can be, for example, the position at which sample rack102 engages guides 114 on base 104, and the second position can be, forexample, a position between the first position and a position at whichsample rack 102 is fully inserted within sample bay 100. As sample rack102 moves between the first position and the second position along thelane, camera 174 acquires images of machine-readable label 144 on samplereceptacles 128 supported by sample rack 102. The acquired images aretransmitted to the processing and control unit to be decoded. Theacquired images can be decoded after sample rack 102 is fully insertedwithin sample bay 100. Another sample rack 102 can be moved, forexample, manually, between a first position and a second position alonga different lane within a housing of sample bay 100. The processing andcontrol unit controls the actuator coupled to reader support 168 to movereader support 168 and, thus, position the object plane 152 of camera170 at the second lane along which the second sample rack 102 is moving.As the second sample rack 102 moves between the first position and thesecond position along the lane, camera 170 acquires images ofmachine-readable label 144 on sample receptacles 128 supported by thesecond sample rack 102. The acquired images are transmitted to theprocessing and control unit to be decoded. The acquired images of thesecond sample rack 102 can be decoded after sample rack 102 is fullyinserted within sample bay 100.

In some embodiments, camera 170 samples at a rate of 60 frames persecond and has a 1/10,000 second shutter speed when using light source174 to strobe the interior of housing 101. In some embodiments, camera170 has a working distance of 250 mm. In some embodiments, camera 170has a focal distance of at least ±10 mm from the focal plane. In someembodiments, camera 170 has a field of view that is 80 mm tall and 25 mmwide. In some embodiments, camera 170 has 1600×1200 pixels.

In some embodiments, the processing and control unit activates lightsource 174 simultaneously when acquiring the images of machine-readablelabel 144 of each sample receptacle 128 supported on the first andsecond sample racks 102.

In some embodiments, camera 170 and light source 174 are operativelycoupled to the processing and control unit through one or more cables178. For example, the images acquired by camera 170 can be transmittedto the processing and control unit via one of the plurality of cables178. And for example, the control signals that activate light source 174can be transmitted from the processing and control unit to light source174 via one of the plurality of cables 178. In some embodiments, one ofthe plurality of cables 178 is operatively coupled to an actuator thatmoves support 168.

In any of the above disclosed embodiments, a user can insert sample rack102 into housing 101. For example, the user can align guide track 156 ofsample rack 102 with guide 113 formed on base 104 of housing 101. Fromthis first position, the user can manually move sample rack 102 alongthe lane defined by guide 114 to a fully inserted position withinhousing 101. As sample rack 102 is moved to the fully inserted position,reader 124 reads labels on sample rack 102, for example, two-dimensionallabels 144 on sample receptacles 128 held by sample rack 102. In someembodiments, after sample rack 102 is fully inserted, the processing andcontrol unit decodes the read labels to extract information, forexample, the specific assay to perform and patient information. And,after sample rack 102 is inserted into sample bay 10, sample materialcontained in sample receptacles 128 carried in the sample rack 102 canbe accessed via a fluid transfer mechanism—such as the probe (e.g., abarrel with a protective tip, such as a pipette tip, mounted thereon) ofan automated, robotically operated pipetting device through the accessopenings 126 formed in top panel 116. Analyzer system 10 then performsthe assay as indicated in the decoded information from, for example,two-dimensional barcode 144.

Some embodiments are implemented via control and computing hardwarecomponents, user-created software, data input components, and dataoutput components. Hardware components include, for example, theprocessing and control unit (e.g., system controller(s)), such asmicroprocessors and computers, configured to effect computational and/orcontrol steps by receiving one or more input values, executing one ormore algorithms stored on non-transitory machine-readable media (e.g.,software) that provide instruction for manipulating or otherwise actingon the input values, and output one or more output values. Such outputsmay be displayed or otherwise indicated to an operator for providinginformation to the operator, for example information as to the status ofthe instrument or a process being performed thereby, or such outputs maycomprise inputs to other processes and/or control algorithms Data inputcomponents comprise elements by which data is input for use by thecontrol and computing hardware components. Such data inputs may comprisepositions sensors, motor encoders, as well as manual input elements,such as graphic user interfaces, keyboards, touch screens, microphones,switches, manually operated scanners, voice-activated input, etc. Dataoutput components may comprise hard drives or other storage media,graphic user interfaces, monitors, printers, indicator lights, oraudible signal elements (e.g., buzzer, horn, bell, etc.). In someembodiments, the processing and control unit can comprise a singlemodule that performs image processing and system control. In otherembodiments, the processing and control unit comprises a plurality ofmodules that perform discrete processing and control steps. In someembodiments, the image processing module can be a component of reader124 that processes (for example, post-processing) images stored in abuffer of reader 124.

Software comprises instructions stored on non-transitorycomputer-readable media which, when executed by the control andcomputing hardware, cause the control and computing hardware to performone or more automated or semi-automated processes. In some embodiments,the software for image processing is stored in memory on reader 124, forexample. In some embodiments, the software for image processing isstored in external memory in communication with the processing andcontrol unit.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Summary and Abstract sections, is intended to be used to interpretthe claims. The Summary and Abstract sections may set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments of the present invention ascontemplated by the inventor(s), and thus, are not intended to limit thepresent invention and the appended claims in any way.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specifiedfunctions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functionalbuilding blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenienceof the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as thespecified functions and relationships thereof are appropriatelyperformed.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fullyreveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applyingknowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt forvarious applications such specific embodiments, without undueexperimentation, without departing from the general concept of thepresent invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications areintended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of thedisclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presentedherein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminologyherein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, suchthat the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is tobe interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings andguidance.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited byany of the above-described exemplary embodiments but should be definedonly in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for reading machine-readable labels onsample receptacles, comprising: with a first label reader at a firstlocation, reading a machine-readable label associated with each samplereceptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles held by a rack; movingthe sample rack from the first location to a second location; with asensor at the second location, sensing a rack identifier on the samplerack, wherein the sensor is not the first label reader; and associatingthe rack identifier with the machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the rack identifier is a machine-readable label, andwherein the sensor is a second label reader.
 3. The method of claim 1,wherein the rack identifier is an RFID tag, and wherein the sensor is anRFID reader.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising acquiringlocation data identifying the second location to which the sample rackwas moved.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable labelof each sample receptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles comprisesa two-dimensional barcode.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein thetwo-dimensional barcode contains information that associates a samplewithin the sample receptacle to a patient.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising determining whether a time period during which thesample rack was moved from the first location to the separate secondlocation exceeds a predetermined time period threshold.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein reading the machine-readable label of each samplereceptacle of a plurality of sample receptacles occurs while the samplerack is moved between a first position and a second position at thefirst location.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: measuringa position of the sample rack as the sample rack moves between the firstposition and the second position; acquiring an image of themachine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles as the sample rack moves from the first position tothe second position; decoding the acquired image of the machine-readablelabel of each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles;and associating a decoded acquired image of the machine-readable labelof each sample receptacle of the plurality of sample receptacles withthe corresponding sample receptacle based on a measured position of thesample rack when the image of the machine-readable label was acquired.10. A system for reading machine-readable labels on sample receptacles,comprising: a sample rack having a rack identifier and configured tohold a plurality of sample receptacles, each having a machine-readablelabel; a first location configured to receive the sample rack; a sensorconfigured to read the rack identifier when the sample rack is at thefirst location; a second location configured to receive the sample rack;and a first label reader, separate from the sensor, configured to readthe machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of the plurality ofsample receptacles when the sample rack is at the second location. 11.The system of claim 10, wherein the rack identifier is amachine-readable label, and wherein the sensor is a second label reader.12. The system of claim 10, wherein the rack identifier is an RFID tag,and wherein the sensor is an RFID reader.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein the machine-readable label of each sample receptacle of aplurality of sample receptacles comprises a two-dimensional barcode. 14.The system of claim 13, wherein the two-dimensional barcode containsinformation that associates a sample within the sample receptacle to apatient.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the system is configuredsuch that the sample rack is manually moved between a first position anda second position when at the first location.
 16. The system of claim10, wherein the system is configured such that the sample rack isautomatically moved between a first position and a second position whenat the first location.